Concerned India may lack sufficient supply of drugs to treat symptoms of the COVID-19 virus, the Indian government will restrict exports of certain pharmaceuticals produced within its borders, India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry announced on March 3.
Among the 26 active pharmaceutical ingredients affected by the restrictions are the over-the-counter painkiller paracetamol, tinidazole, an anti-infective, and the antibiotic clindamycin. Companies seeking to export products on the list will have to apply for government certification on an individual basis.
The likelihood of supply shortages in India has been telegraphed by a recent spike in prices on such pharmaceuticals, even though the number of confirmed cases of the virus in the country remains relatively low. These restrictions will likely hurt drug supply in the West.